Rinsing system for dishwashing machines



Dec. 16, 1969 c. R. W'EI'HE. JR 3,484,811

RiNSING SYSTEM FOR nIsnwA-sama MACHINES Original Filed Jan. '19, 1966 FEIIIIIIIII:

cigde R. Wei-Fae, Jr. .9 WW r W52.

fliiai' iaegs United States Patent Int. Cl. B08b 3/02 US. Cl. 13458 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rinsing system for a cycling type of dishwashing machine controlled by a timer. The system is designed to rinse the dishes first in clear water and then in water to which a drying agent has been added. An injector for the drying agent is installed on the machine and operated by a valve controlled by the timer. The valve is opened only during the latter part of the rinsing cycle.

This application is a divisional application of my previous application Ser. No. 521,594 filed Jan. 19, 1966 and now Patent No. 3,363,636.

This invention relates to dishwashing machines and more particularly to rinsing systems for machines of the commercial type.

Most State laws require that dishes for use in public places, such as restaurants, be rinsed with a certain quantity of fresh water in the final rinse stage. It is also customary to introduce a drying agent into the final rinse water to insure that the dishes dry quickly. The object of this invention is to provide a rinse system which satisfies the requirements for the quantity of rinse water used, and effects a substantial saving in the amount of drying agent which is needed in the final rinse.

According to this invention the drying agent is introduced during the last portion only of the final rinse cycle. The invention here disclosed is suitable for the door type of dishwasher, which is cycled in the customary manner by a timer. An injector for drying agent is installed on the machine and operated by a valve controlled by the timer. The valve is opened only for the latter part of the rinsing cycle. Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

The drawing is a side elevation of a cycling type of dishwashing machine on which a rinsing system constructed according to the invention is installed.

3,484,811 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 The drawing illustrates a typical door type of machine having a housing 35 and a door 36 through which racks of dishes are inserted and removed. The machine contains spray pipes 37 which are connected to a Water supply line 38 controlled by a valve 39. The machine is run through various washing and rinsing cycles in the usual manner by a timer 4!] which controls the opening and closing of valve 39. As is customary, the last stage of the cycle is the final rinse. A drying agent injector 41 is connected through a valve 42 to pipe 38, valve 42 is also controlled by the timer 40. The timer is set so that valve 42 opens during only the last portion of the final rinse stage. For example, if the time cycle for the final rinse is 12 seconds, valve 42 opens during only the last three to four seconds. The dishes are thus rinsed with clear water for the first part of the final rinse cycle, and with the water to which the drying agent has been added to produce the usual concentration during the last part of the cycle. This arrangement produces the same drying effect, while using only about a third of the amount of drying agent, as compared to the usual systems in which drying agent is injected during the entire final rinse cycle.

The extra timer contact, can be added, at very little expense, to new machines or to existing machines. This system effects a substantial saving in the cost of operation because of the smaller amount of drying agent required.

What is claimed is:

1. A dishwashing machine, having a final rinse stage, comprising Water supply pipe for said final rinse stage, a first control valve mounted on said supply pipe, a device for supplying drying agent connected to said pipe and including a second control valve, and a timer controlling both said valves and adapted to open the first valve and subsequently open the second valve, said timer being adapted to hold said first valve open for a predetermined period and open said second valve after substantially twothirds of said period has run.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,331,518 10/1943 Trier et al 134100XR 2,592,886 4/1952 Fox et a1 13495 XR 2,740,415 4/1956 Federighi et a1. 134-58 3,005,330 10/1961 Bochan 134-58 XR 3,013,568 12/1961 Getchell et a1 134-68 ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 13497, 98, 

